MANPOWER ISSUE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 63, Issue 41, 27 November 1942, Page 2

MANPOWER ISSUE.

BETTER USE BY THE STATE. DISCUSSED BY CONFERENCE. CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 26. i Plans to make the best use of -the Dominion’s manpower were called for at a conference held yesterday under the auspices of the Canterbury Progress League, and attended by farmers, local body representatives and businessmen. It was claimed that there shoilld be a more appropriate balance Ibelween the needs: of industry and. the armed forces. Mr S. P. Taylor (.chairman of the Ashburton County Council) presided. ■ Continuous home defence service was criticised aa wasteful, of man power, inefficient, costly and tedious and frustrating'to the men concerned. More intensive and realistic training over shorter periods for limited numbers of men was advocated, to enable a larger proportion of men to be released for civil needs, while ready for mobilisation in a national emergency.

It was suggested that Home Guard parades, particularly in country districts, should be reduced and made realistic. Expanded agricultural production was required and the Government should be urged to make use 'of prisoner of war labour for farm work.

It was suggested that a thorough classification of all personnel, arranged in order of priority or essentiality should be made, providing flexibility to meet changing needs.

“Confusion Exists.”

The recent announcement that 10,000 men had been “manpowered” out of the Army over a period of three months was] confirmation of the need for planning, said Mr D. S. Mackenzie, (chairman of the Waipara County Council). “This fact shows that confusion exists,” he continued. “These men were taken from industry, and then put back before they were fully trained as soldiers. The manpower position should be under civilian control. It is disastrous to the war effort that men should be taken irresponsibly from industry.”

Mr D. W. Westenra (Dunsandel) said that men were being sent overseas who should have been kept on the land. Those tvho went to camp did very little, he claimed. There was no organisation, and the country suffered. No decision had yet been made in -New Zealand as to what were essential or non-essential farm and factory production, said Mr A. M. Hollander, (president of the Canterbury Manufacturers’ Assoiation). Labour released by such a decision could be put to better use: He said that the appeal boards with their ■yyuste of time, could he done away with at a stroke if the Government carried out some such The president of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce (Mr G. H. Wood) said that something should be done about the young men who had been exempted from service for upwards of three years. Surely others could by now have been trained to take their place. The Government should be urged to take stock of the relative position of military and civilian needs, said the Deputy-Mayor of Christchurch (Mr M. E. Lyons). A thorough reorganisation, almost regimentation, of the country’s man power was the only remedy. It was claimed by Mr H. C. B. Withell (chairman of the Mid-Canterbury Farmers’ Union) that there was. a lack of co-ordination between the War Cabinet and the Army in regard to the release of men for essential work.

The points raised were referred to the executive of the Progress League for embodiment in a resolution to be submitted to the Government.

At the conclusion of the .meeting the chairman said: “We have a clear mandate from this important conference to do all in our power to haVe the situation rectified. Surely, this considered opinion of such a representative gathering must carry weight with the Government.” '